Breathing coach application

ABSTRACT

A breathing coach system is disclosed comprising a biometric device capable of measuring the respiration rate of a user and an application monitoring the respiration rate measured by the biometric device and notifying the user when the respiration rate of the user is different from a predetermined respiration rate.

BACKGROUND

Smart watches (or other smart biometric devices) have the ability tomonitor the respiration rate of the user. This measurement is typicallyused to provide statistics after the fact. There is a need to use thesemeasurements to provide instant feedback to a user to alter theirrespiration pattern to help with anxiety and relaxation. By takingcontrol of their breathing in real time, the user can impact theirwell-being all-day long.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In a first embodiment, a breathing coach system and method is disclosedcomprising a biometric device capable of measuring the respiration rateof a user, an application coupled to the biometric device monitoring therespiration rate and notifying said user when the respiration rate ofthe user is different from a predetermined respiration rate.

In another embodiment, the application is executed on a processor on asmart watch.

In another embodiment, the biometric device is executed on a processoron a smart watch.

In another embodiment, the predetermined respiration rate is a baselinerespiration rate recorded by said user.

In another embodiment, the predetermined respiration rate is arespiration rate following a specific pattern.

In another embodiment, the specific pattern is a 4,4,4 box breathingpattern.

In another embodiment, the notifying is done by a vibration on the smartwatch.

In another embodiment, the notifying is done by playing a tone on thesmart watch.

In another embodiment, the notifying is done when the monitoredrespiration rate is faster than the baseline respiration rate.

In another embodiment, the notifying is done to match said baselinerespiration rate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, themost significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to thefigure number in which that element is first introduced.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wearable smart device in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the breathing coach system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter of thisspecification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and thedescription below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of thesubject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings,and the claims.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicatelike elements.

FIG. 1 depicts a wearable smart device 106 (for example, but not limitedto a smart watch) capable of measuring respiration rate or receivingrespiration rate measurements from a biometric device. An applicationdownloaded on the wearable smart device 106 displays bars reflecting theinhale level 102 and the exhale level 104 of the users as measured andcompared to a baseline natural conscious breathing of the user.

In another embodiment, the biometric device is a separate device coupledwith the application device via a communication protocol.

As per FIG. 2 , the user initializes the application by recording thebaseline conscious breathing pattern 202. The conscious breathingpattern is stored in the wearable smart device 106 as the baseline.

Then the application measures respiration rate 204 and displays targetrespiration rate 206 by showing the inhale level 102 and exhale level104 on the screen of the wearable smart device 106. The levels and speedcan be shown using bars as shown in FIG. 1 . For example, the inhalelevel 102 is shown with bars lighting up from left to right and theexhale level 104 with the bars going from right to left. If theapplication is configured to have a pause between the inhale and theexhale, and/or the exhale and the inhale, then another graphic icon canbe used as a counter for the pause.

The display could be of any designs that allow to show the two dimensionof the respiration, the rate and the depth.

If the measured respirate rate does not match the baseline 208, the useris notified 210 using a vibration or a sound generated by the wearablesmart device 106. For example if the user tries to exhale before the 4thbar of the inhale is reached.

The user can configure the application to make different sounds, typesof vibrations and levels thereof.

The application measures respiration rates 204 on an ongoing basis andcontinuously compares to the baseline to provide continuous feedback.Optionally, the application can be configured via setting to onlyprovide feedback during specific times of day.

As the user goes on about its day and forgets to breath consciously, thewatch will constantly remind the user to go back to their baselinenatural conscious breathing pattern.

In another embodiment, the application can be configured to implementdifferent types of breathing rhythms including a pause after the inhaleand/or before the exhale. Optionally, the application can use differenttypes of vibration for the inhale, pause, exhale. For example, but notlimited to, the 4,4,4 box breathing technic used navy seals. Any othertypes of breathing techniques can be programmed into the application.

Using the application, the user does not need to worry about countingand they can focus on the breath and visualize toxic energy leavingtheir body. A subtle vibration of the wearable smart device 106 on thewrist triggers the user to inhale and hold their breath for 4 seconds,then another vibration will notify the user to exhale. The applicationacts as a metronome for the breathing of the user causing ongoingreal-time relaxation.

In another embodiment, the application on the wearable smart device 106will cause the user to take deeper breaths than the baseline to increaserelaxation. Using this setting the vibration may optionally feeldifferent or a different sound can be played. In this embodiment, theapplication acts as a metronome for breathing.

In another embodiment, the application records the breathing pattern ofthe user. Using this data, the application can display the breathingpattern in comparison with previous time segments or in comparison withthe baseline conscious breathing pattern to show improvements achievedusing the notifications.

In another embodiment, the application provides statistics of the numberof time the notifications are sent, these statistics can show the userimprovement over time.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously,many modifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. The embodiments described were chosen and described in orderto best explain the principles of the invention and its practicalapplication, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to bestutilize the invention and various embodiments with various modificationsas are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood thatvarious omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated ascircumstance may suggest or render expedient but is intended to coverthe application or implementation without departing from the spirit orscope of the claims of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A breathing coach system comprising: a biometricdevice capable of measuring the respiration rate of a user; anapplication monitoring the respiration rate on a smart device coupled tothe biometric device and notifying said user when the respiration rateof the user is different from a predetermined respiration rate.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein said application is executed on a processor ona smart device.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein said biometric deviceis executed on a processor on a smart device.
 4. The system of claim 1where said predetermined respiration rate is a baseline respiration raterecorded by said user.
 5. The system of claim 1 where said predeterminedrespiration rate is a respiration rate following a specific pattern. 6.The system of claim 5 where said specific pattern is a 4,4,4 boxbreathing pattern.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein said notifying isdone by a vibration on the smart device.
 8. The system of claim 1wherein said notifying is done by playing a tone on the smart device. 9.The system of claim 1 wherein said notifying is done when the monitoredrespiration rate is faster than the baseline respiration rate.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein said notifying is done to match said baselinerespiration rate.
 11. A method for coaching a user's breathing ratecomprising: measuring a respiration rate of a user using a biometricdevice; monitoring a respiration rate of the user using an applicationon a smart device coupled to said biometric device and notifying saiduser when the respiration rate of the user is different from apredetermined respiration rate.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein saidapplication is executed on a processor on a smart device.
 13. The methodof claim 11 wherein said biometric device is executed on a processor ona smart device.
 14. The method of claim 11 where said predeterminedrespiration rate is a baseline respiration rate recorded by said user.15. The method of claim 11 where said predetermined respiration rate isa respiration rate following a specific pattern.
 16. The method of claim15 where said specific pattern is a 4,4,4 box breathing pattern.
 17. Themethod of claim 11 wherein said notifying is done by a vibration on thesmart device.
 18. The method of claim 11 wherein said notifying is doneby playing a tone on the smart device.
 19. The method of claim 11wherein said notifying is done when the monitored respiration rate isfaster than the baseline respiration rate.
 20. The method of claim 11wherein said notifying is done to match said baseline respiration rate.